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February 11, 2019

Some people call Valentine’s Day a “Hallmark holiday”—a fair label, considering about a billion cards are exchanged that day. The pink stuffed teddy bears, the heart-shaped balloons, the intense pressure to plan the perfect (and often ungodly expensive) romantic night out can be a lot for many to bear. Some rise to the challenge and relish the romance. Others panic and resort to blurting out facts about the less than lovey-dovey origins of Valentine’s Day. We get it. It’s a bit of a mixed bag. But at its heart (<—see what we did there…) it’s a day devoted to acknowledging and spending time with the people you love, and that is something we all can get onboard with. What better way to celebrate time with the special person in your life than with a relaxing night in, enjoying some first-rate beer or cocktails? If a low-key, craft beverage-filled Valentine’s Day is what you’re after, we’ve got a few ideas to set the mood.

What’s in a name? When it comes to Valentine’s beers, for some brewers coming up with a name may be half the fun. Serving up pints of Love Buzz saison, Love Letter tart or Sexual Chocolate imperial stout may be all you need to check the holiday box. Take a look at this list from Chowhound of other Valentine-appropriate beers.

If you can’t get your hands on any of the above-mentioned beers, one way to add some Valentine’s day flare to your celebration it to pick a beer featuring a staple of this holiday’s traditions: chocolate. Take your uKeg to your local brewery or growler fill spot and you’re likely to find a tasty chocolate stout or porter that will satisfy your craving.

If you don’t like chocolate in your beer, but enjoy it alongside your beer, then may we suggest checking out some beer and truffle pairings. Some combinations will be love at first read, but others (like truffles that go well with hoppy, intense IPAs) may surprise you.

Even on a casual night at home, you may want to opt for a fancier beverage. Esquire shared a list of some Valentine-worthy cocktails that are as beautiful as they are delicious. We must admit, though, that we prefer these champagne cocktails, which can be made in advance and kept fresh in your uKeg for up to two weeks. Because one day may just not be enough to celebrate all the love!